Editor’s note: The following is a reprint of a column published 12-20-07, when Genie and Bob stayed at the Palace Hotel just west of Cass Lake, Minnesota while Bob was deer hunting on the west shore of Lake Winniebigosh:
I get to my stand just as it is getting daylight. I put out sunflower seeds, cracked corn, millet, plus ear corn for the birds and critters. I sit down on my wooden steps that are next to a four-foot-deep by four-foot-wide by four-foot-long firepit for burning wood when it is cold. Now I’m ready for a day in the woods.
Just prior to the sun coming up, I notice frost forming on the ground – as I watch, everything becomes white with frost. This is the first time I’ve ever seen white frost form.
Shortly after daylight, the red squirrels, mice, nuthatches, chickadees and blue jays show up for their morning breakfast. A chickadee takes a sunflower seed out of my hand and then lands on my gun barrel, as if to pause and say “Thanks.”
The sun rises shortly after their breakfast. The sunrays first appear on the treetops, and as the sun gets higher, I am warmed by its rays.
As the rays hit the ground, the white frost disappears. About then I thank God for a great fall morning in the woods.
Shortly after eating my sack lunch after hearing the 11 a.m. train blow its whistle, the sky clouds over. About 2 p.m., the first snow of deer hunting starts. It turns to big white flakes about the size of a silver dollar. Once again I thank God for what I have seen today in the woods.
By 4:30 p.m. the snow has covered the forest floor. I get my stuff together, and as I leave the deer stand, I realize that I have seen the fall season turn into the winter season in the forest. Once again I thank God for my seeing the change in the seasons in the woods.
While the car headed back to the hotel, I realized God has different seasons too. His seasons go from the season of Pentecost to the season of Advent with the coming of Christ. May your thoughts be of the Advent season.
By the way, I did not get a deer. But I am very happy with a Dear of 44 years by the name of Genie.
———
Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in Vermont. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.